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Sujit Chatterjee in Singapore
Fight against terrorism and strategic environment figured prominently during intensive discussions between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Singaporean counterpart Goh Chok Tong in Singapore on Monday.
"We have discussed our strategic environment, political concerns and security challenges. Recent events have dramatically demonstrated the reach and penetration of international terrorist forces. Societies like ours have to close ranks against these forces," Vajpayee said at a banquet hosted by Goh.
Lauding Singapore's contribution in facilitating India's dialogue with the powerful ten-nation ASEAN and its participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum, a security grouping, Vajpayee said: "We are convinced that India's destiny, like that of Singapore, is closely intertwined with the future of South-East Asia and of the Asia Pacific."
"We can both flourish in a dynamic, mutually beneficial partnership. It is with this perspective that we look forward to the first ASEAN-India Summit in November this year," the prime minister said.
Observing that India looks to Singapore as a powerhouse of economic development and modernisation, he said: "Singapore can find in India both human and natural resources as inputs to spur further growth. India provides Singapore with the space to accommodate its economic globalisation ambitions."
PTI
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